Drying tumbler having operation sequence controls



H. c. ELLIS 2,570,437

DRYING TUMBLER HAVING OPERATION SEQUENCE CONTROLS 9 Sheets-Sheet 1 Oct.9, 1951 Filed OCL. 5, 1945 QOQO e b i ask! I m E r m L F H i i 1 i E i Ei u :4- hjflwnza; Q J/zzeri? am/L',

Oct. 9, 1951 H. c. ELLIS 5 9 DRYING TUMBLER HAVING OPERATION SEQUENCECONTROLS Filed Oct. 5, 1945 9 Sheets-Sheet 2 Oct. 9, 1951 H. c. ELLIS2,570,437

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DRYING TUMBLER HAVING OPERATION SEQUENCE CONTROLS Filed Oct. 5, 1945 9Sheets-Sheet 4 mm; C. ZZZ/5'5 H. c. ELLIS 2,570,437

DRYING TUMBLER HAVING OPERATION SEQUENCE CONTROLS Oct. 9, 1951 9Sheets-Sheet 5 Filed Oct. 5, 1945 NAAAAAE;

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DRYING TUMBLER HAVING OPERATION SEQUENCE CONTROLS Oct. 9, 1951 9Sheets-Sheet 6 Filed Oct. 5, 1945 H. c. ELLIS 2,570,437

DRYING TUMBLER HAVING OPERATION SEQUENCE CONTROLS 9 Sheets-Sheet 8 Oct.9, 1951 Filed Oct. 5, 1945 W 5 iillu ha W HHHM l w I a. Q RN |ll.. U Z QZ 0 2 0 7- H m QN MIT M Q W Oct. 9, 1951 H. c. ELLIS 2,570,437

DRYING TUMBLER HAVING OPERATION SEQUENCE CONTROLS Filed Oct. 5, 1945 9Sheets-Sheet 9 f7d972707 fuz er Patented Oct. 9, 1951 DRYING TUMBLER-HAVING OPERATION SEQUENCE CONTROLS Hubert 0. Ellis, Evanston, Ill.,assignor to The Ellis Drier Company, Chicago, Ill.

Application October 3, 1945, Serial him-619,948

This invention relates in general to a clothes drier and cooler of thereversing tumbler type which is set for periodic operation toautomatically complete a cycle of movements and operations forreceiving, drying, cooling, and opening the drier for discharging andrecharging.

In removing the moisture content from clothes.

fabrics, and other materials in a dry tumbler of this type, it isdesirable not only to insure that the apparatus is operated a suflicienttime to thoroughly dry the material in the tumbler, but also to expeditethe operation, it is necessary that the clothes or other materials bedelivered at such a temperature that they may be freely handled in arelatively cool condition.

It is therefore an important object of the present invention to providea drier of the clothes tumbler type having means for automaticallycontrolling the application of heat for a predetermined period and thenreducing the heat or applying a cooling so that the contents of thedrier may be delivered in dried condition and at such a temperature thatit may be freely handled without danger to the operator.

Another object of the invention is to provide new and improved means forcirculating the heating and cooling medium within a drier, to regulatethe heat and the time of applying it, to reduce the heat by temperingit, and to turn off the heat and apply a cooling medium. A furtherobject of the invention is to provide means for collecting and removinglint from the heating and cooling circulating line, storing it withinthe drier casing for removing it from time to time.

A further object of the invention is to provide controlling means inconnection with the drier for automatically operating the cylinder andfan motors in timed relation to the cycle of drying operations andopening and closing the charging door of the drier.

Still a further object of the invention is to provide improved means forraising or lowering the tumbler cylinder to bring it opposite thecharging opening of the drier when the drier is stopped for unloadingand recharging.

Still a further object of the invention is to provide a combinedelectrical pneumatic and mechanical system of operation for opening andclosing the charging door and moving the damper by pneumatic means, forcontrolling the operation of the electric motors for driving the tumblercylinder in reverse directions, and for operating the air circulatingfans, and also for operating various mechanical constructions such as alint collector and discharger.

12 Claims. (CI. 34-45) Still a further object of the invention is toprovide an improved system for controlling a drier having apredetermined cycle of operations, having safety switches, over load andlow voltage relays, automatic door switches and signal lamps to indicatewhen one or both of the motors are runnmg.

Another object of the invention is to provide a dry tumbler which isgenerally of new and improved construction and is characterized bysimplicity of design and operation as well as case and facility ofassembly and use.

Other objects of the invention and various advantagesand characteristicsof the present dry tumbling apparatus and system of operation will beapparent from a consideration of the following detailed description.

The invention consists in the several novel features of construction andoperation which are hereinafter described and more particularly definedby the claims at the conclusion hereof.

In the drawings which accompany and form a part of this specification ordisclosure and in which like letters and numerals of reference denotecorresponding parts throughout the several views:

Figure 1 is a front elevation of a dry tumbler in accordance with thisinvention, with a portion of the upper cover and casing broken away;

Figure 2 is an and elevation of the drier shown in Figure 1 at thedriving end;

Figure 3 is an end elevation of the other end of the drier;

Figure 4 is a rear view with parts broken away to show the circulatingfans. heat coils, and air ducts;

Figure 5 is a transverse sectional view of the drier; Figure 5A is afragmentary detail showing a recirculating type of drier;

Figure 6 is an enlarged sectional view illustrating the damperoperation;

Figure 7 is an enlarged view illustrating the damper adjustment andcontrol;

Figure 8 is a detail plan view as taken on the line 8-8 of Figure 7;

Figures 9 and 10 are transverse and longitudinal sectional viewsrespectively illustrating the lint collector and its drive;

Figure 11 is a view of the frontof the controller;

Figure 12 is a vertical sectional view of the controller showing one ofthe operating switches in elevation;

Figure 13 is another vertical sectional view through the controllershowing some of the opcrating and indicating park therein in elevation;

HgureMisanelevationa-lviewwiththecontollercasinacoverremovcdshowinatheoperatingleversandthenormallyopenandnormaliycloaedvalvemembersoperatedthereby;

HgurelSisascctionaldetailviewofthe charginsdoorsaietysw'itcmamimurelflsawiringdiagramofthemotorcircuits andthecontrollins connectionsthereior in thecontrol boxaiso showing tically the air control lines forthe door and damper 'l'hepresent inventionmaybe applied either toadrierottheoncethromhtypeasshownand described more particularly in thisapplication withairdrawnmheateiclrculatedthroughthehrmbler,andexpelled.asindicatedinl"lgure5.ortotherecircuiatinxtminwhichairdrawn into the casing is heated. andrecirculated through the tumbler as many times as desired.aaindimtedbythestruchrreshowninfigureSA which is substituted for theonce-through arrarmementshowninligure 5.

This invmtion covers a cycle of operations.Theelothcsorothermaterialtobedriedaredepositedinthedryereyiinderinwetordampconditiomthecylinderissuiiicientiychargcdflhedoortheretoisckiscd,theoutsidedooroithecasingiscloseithedrivingmotoriorthetmnhlercylinderrnaythenbeoperatetheatedairhthenarmliedforapredeterminedtimeaiterwhichit is automatically shut oil andrelatively cold air iaadmittedsothat the contentso! thecylinderkcooiedsuiiicientlytopermithandllng.Thecylinderisstoppemthecasingcoverisraisedandfltheopeningofthecylinderisnotinregister withtheopeninginthecaslng.tcylindermay be movedstep by step in either direction toregisterthedooropenings. Theeylinderdooristhen opened and the contentswithdrawn and the cylindermaythenberechargedioranotheroperation.

Reierring now more particularly to thedrawings,aperioratedtumblercyiinder Iiisrotatahly mounted at its ends inhorlaontal position in a casinghavingacylindricalenclosingwallflwithanairinletopeningilatthetopandanairoutletopeningzlatthebottomoithecylmderextendinglengthwise thereof.

Atthetrontoithecasingisahingeddooreomprisingsectionsfl,hingedatthetoptotheupperportion of the casing and having a hinged lower portion 3| withanange iiat its loweredgeabutting a flange 31 projecting outwardly from thecaslngatthebottom oi the door opening.

Inthe'tumbler cylinder liareanumberoi periorated flights 33 for causinga thorough intermingling and tumbling movement of the materials in thecylinder. Between adjacent flights aredoorsectionsil slidableingroovesupportsliattheedgesthereofwiththeseetbns in different paths so that thesections 34 may be movedinoverlappingrelationtoprovideanopeningadaptedtoregisterwiththedooropening inthecasing, whereby the contents 0! thecylindermaybeeasiiyremovedandanewcharge inserted.

Kxtendingimmthebackofthecaaingandover theinletopening 21 isahotair 8iand a cold air pasage 31 formed by an exteriorcaslngwaliilwhichmayhaveatwoparthinged. door I! normally closable overthe H 1 but capable of being opened for access to the 1 mm?- Beparatingthe hot and cold passageways aresupportimarmalieaehhavirmaboitflatmdingoppoaitelytheretrunwithvaiveflatcellandp w fl lmilthem aectitmaandtuniinztomtheplatuoutwardly agaimttheheadllatonemdandaiaatenim nutllattheothermd. withthia EEEEEEtheheatingflwheretheairiahcated bythesteampipellbeforeitisintroducedintotheturnblereyiinder.

InthelowerportionoitheeaaingandatonesideoitheairoutletflareexhamtianslLeachhavinzacasingwithacentraiinletopening'lliorreceivingairiromwithinthecasinganddia-'IScharxhx-iromaspoutlithrormhanopmirm in the casing, closed by a screen80 and held in place by a clamping frame 8I.

Interposed between the air outlets 28 and the discharge fans TI is alint removing device comprising an inner screen 82 semi-circular in formand of relatively fine mesh hacked and supported by an outer andstronger screen 83 of relatively coarse mesh. A partition 84 completesthe closure of the space between the lint remover and the bottom of thecasing so that all of the air and other material which passes throughthe tumbler cylinder and is withdrawn by the suction of the fan 1'! mustpass through the lint screenings. The lint collects so rapidly thatmeans must be provided for removing the accumulation or the efliciencyof the air-flow will be greatly diminished. For this purpose a.brush-like wiper 85 is mounted on arms 86 secured to a longitudinallyextending shaft 81 so that the rotation of the shaft will cause thewiper to engage its screen 82 collecting and discharging the lint fromthe bottom of the screen as the wiper is moved.

In order to effect this movement this shaft 81 projects through one endof the casing where a ratchet wheel 88 is secured to the shaft. Aratchet lever 89 is freely mounted on the shaft and has one arm whichcarries a spring pressed pawl 90 for engaging the ratchet wheel in onedirection of movement. From the other arm of the lever a connecting rod9I is pivoted on a shoulder screw 92 secured eccentrically to the end ofa shaft 93 which supports the tumbler cylinder at this end. A fan motor84 is preferably mounted at the outside of the casing and secureddirectly to a common shaft 95 for all of the fans within the casing. Acylinder motor 96 is also preferably supported at the outside of thecasing and at the same end as the fan motor 94 and it is connected tothe tumbler cylinder by reversing and reduction gearing 91 which is notshown in detail but is operative to drive the cylinder at a relativelyslow speed such as thirty-six revolutions per minute, reversing itsmovement after about five or six movements in each direction. With thisconstruction the eccentric connection of the lint remover will operatewith a step by step motion regardless of the direction of rotation ofthe tumbler cylinder.

At each end of the casing is a door operating cylinder 98 having a pivot99 at its lower end permitting the upper end to oscillate slightly andextending from the upper end of the cylinder is a piston rod I having aprojecting door bracket IOI at its upper end adapted to engage in arecess I02 at the end of the door section 29 so that as the pistonsarethrust upwardly the door is raised and as the pistons are pulleddownwardly the door is closed.

Secured to the inside of the casing adjacent the lower edge of the dooropening is a switch assembly I03 having a projecting movable part I04adapted to be engaged by the lower door section 30 when the door ispulled downwardly by the door cylinders 99. When the door is open theswitch is open, and when the door is closed the switch is closed therebyclosing a circuit so that the cylinder motor may be started. Thisinsures that the casing door is closed before the tumbler cylinder canbe operated.

A control box I05 is mounted atv the motor end of the casing andcomprises a front cover I 05 in which a drying timer I01 and a coolingtimer I08 are mounted adjacent thetop having independent settingmechanisms I09 and H0 respec tively. In the cover are a number ofopenings through which controlling parts extend for operation orobservation. These parts are as follows: The fan motor has a startingswitch button I I I. a stop switch button I I2 and a fan indicating lampII3; an inching switch has a starting button II4, an inch-up stoppingbutton H5 and an inch-down stopping button II8; the cylinder motor hasan indicating lamp III, a safety on and off switch button H8, and damperand door levers H9 and I extend through operating slots I2I and I22respectively; visible and accessible through the front cover plate.Within the panel box I05 each of the operating levers IIS and I20controls the operation of two valves one a normally open valve I23 andthe other a normally closed valve I24, secured to a common mountingblock I25 which is connected to a source of fluid pressure supply by apipe I 28. Each lever, as H9, is mounted by a pivot I21 in a support I28below the block I25 and has a projection I29 connected by a pivot I30with the lower'end of a link I3I. One end of the pivot I30 projectslaterally into the path of a movable armature I32 of a magnet I33 sothat the lever can be moved freely upward in its slot I2I but when themagnet I33 is energized its armature will engage the arm I29 or theprojecting portion of the pivot I30 which will push the lever H9 and itslink connection I3I downwardly to the bottom of its slot. Extendinglaterally from the link near its upper end are bearing pins I34 whichextend into slide bars I35 mounted in glide blocks I36 spaced apart toallow the link I3I to move therebetween, the glide bars having stems I31extending upwardly into the normally open and normally closed valveblocks I23 and I24. The normally open and normally closed valves for thedamper cylinder are connected by pipes I38 and I39 with opposite ends ofthe damper cylinder 66 and the normally open and normally closed valvesof the door operating lever I20 are connected by pipe connections I andHI with the opposite ends of the door cylinders 98.

Each of these normally open and normally closed valves has a connectionthrough pipe I28 (Figure 12) to the source of fluid pressure supply, apipe connection to one end of the cylinder to which it relates, anexhaust pipe I42, and valve means (not shown, within the valve) actuatedby the movement of the operating levers. When pressure is admittedthrough the normally closed valve to one end of a door cylinder, theother end of the cylinder is connected to exhaust through the normallyopen valve, and this connection is reversed through the valves foractuating the door cylinder reversely.

Lint removed from screen 82 by wiper 85 collects in a pile 23 at thebottom of the casing. Lint removal doors 24 are hinged at their tops atthe front of the casing and tend to swing to closed position. A door maybe opened without stopping the cylinder 25 or fans I1 and the lint rakedor otherwise removed therefrom, the doors swinging closed by theirweight and additionally closed by the suction within the casing.

In a recirculating type of drier, the essential drying, lint removing,and controlling parts are the same, but as shown more particularly byFigure 5A, there is an air inlet opening 15a in the rear wall of thedrier casing communicating with the interior of the casing, providedwith a screen 7 15a and a closable door 80a. Extending from the fan 11is a discharge spout 19a which communicates with the bottom of theheating passageway 35 and forces air therethrough which is drawn intothe face through its inlet opening 15, from the bottom of the casing.

Instead of providing a discharge opening through the casing for the fandischarge spout, a closure Ia is applied to the opening over which thescreen 55 extends as shown in Figure 5, thus making it possible toutilize the same casing for both types of driers. In the recirculatingtype, air is drawn in through the door 50a which may swing freely inwardor may be fastened in closed position, the air being continuouslyrecirculated through the heating chamber, the tumbler, and through thelint removing device. The air thus reused is continuously heated andrequires less heat from the heating coils than where fresh air is drawncontinuously from the outside of the easing circulated through the drierand then expelled therefrom by the fan.

In both forms of driers, the operation of the tumbler, the lint removingdevice and the controlling mechanism is the same.

- .In operation, the drying timer I01 is first set for the desireddrying time and the cooling timer I55 includes the time covered by thedrying timer I51 plus the time for the cooling timer. These timers arespring operated and have normally open and normally closed switches forautomatically controlling the operation of the hot and cold air doublevalve or damper in accordance with the times for which the timers areset.

. To start the tumbler cylinder motor and assuming that the cylinderdoors are closed but that the casing doors are open, the door closinglever I25 is raised which admits fluid under pressure to the doorcylinder 55 for closing the door. This closes the door interlock switchI55 shown in Figure I5 which allows electrical connections to be madethrough the driving and other motors. Control switch I I5 is turned tothe "on position and by pressing cylinder start button H4, a controlcircuit is closed for operating the main line switches to admit currentto operate the cylinder motor. This also releases the motor brakes andstarts the timer motor which energizes the forward and reversecontactors to alternate the reverse driving mechanism approximately sixtimes per minute.

To start the fan motor, press the fan start button III which ismaintained normally in closed position for continuously actuating thefan motors. In the normal cycle of operations, the movement of thetumbler cylinder is continued for the drying time, then the valve ordamper is changed'reducing the heat applied to the drying cylinder andapplying cold air thereto for a predetermined time, after which thetumbler cylinder is stopped and the casing door is automatically opened.To stop the tumbler cylinder at any time for emergency or other reasons,it is necessary only to operate the cylinder and fan stop buttons H5 andIII respectively. If it is necessary to raise or lower the tumblercylinder to make it register with the casing door opening, the cylinderstart button H4 is pressed and to inch the cylinder up or down, thebuttons H5 and I I6 are operated as required. This will position thedoor of the tumbler cylinder to register with the open door of thecasing so that dried and cooled material may be easily removed from thetumbler cylinder, and the tumbler cylinder recharged with the same orother material as desired.

In carrying out the cycle of operations, the cylinder motor 95 isrepresented in the diagram, Figure 16, as a three-phase motor havingcurrent supply mains I55, I5I and I52 with a fused knife switch I55 forconnecting them respectively to main conductors I54, I55 and I55, inwhich are circuit breaker switches I51 controlled by an electricalswitch maintaining device I55 having a normally open interlock I55 forcontrolling the opening and closing of these circuit breaker switches.

The cylinder motor 55 is connected for reverse rotation by switches I52and I55 controlled by a reverse electrical switch device I54, and byconductors I60 and lil and connected between main conductor I54 and I55having switches I52 and I53 and switches I55 and I55 controlled by aforward electrical switch device I51, the arrangement being such thatwhen the forward device I61 is energized, switches I55 and I55 areclosed and current is supplied to the cylinder motor 55 to cause itsrotation in one direction, and when the other reverse switch device I55is energized.

current is supplied to the cylinder motor to cause its rotation in thereverse direction of rotation. This reversal is controlled by areversing timer I55 which alternately energizes the forward and reverseswitch devices approximately six times per minute in the presentinvention.

The switch I55 is assumed to be closed and to start the cylinder motor,the door lever I55 is raised which closes the door by means of the doorcylinders 95. This closes the door safety switch I04 and the controlswitch H5 is turned to on" position, the cylinder start switch I I4being depressed momentarily and closing a circuit through switch deviceI55 and its normally open interlock and releasing the brakes indicatedby a magnet winding I65 for the cylinder motor whenever the cylindermotor is energized. This circuit is traced from main I55 adjacent switchI55 by means of conductor I55 having a fuse I15 therein to contact PI ofswitch II5, lower conductor III of this switch, conductor I12maintaining interlock I55, conductor I591: to the P5 contact of lampII1, thence through conductor I15, door switch I54, conductor I11, frontcontacts of inch-up switch II5, conductor I15, front contacts ofinch-down switch II5, conductor I15, contact 2I5, conductor I14 to P5contact of cylinder start switch II4, thence through conductor I55,switch maintaining device I55, conductor I55, switch I90, conductor I5I,switch I52, conductor I93, contact P5 of the control switch II5, uppercontact I55 of switch I I5 to contact P2 and thence through conductorI5I, fuse I52 back to supply main I55. This control circuit actuates theswitch maintaining device I55 closing the switches I51, the normallyopen interlock switch I59 being also closed when the switches I51 areclosed and opening the switches through the maintaining device I55 whenit is open.

Closing the switches I51 sets up an energizing circuit for releasing thebrake I55 by means of a conductor I55 connected to one of the mains I56,thence through the brake magnet I55 to another supply main I55.

Closing the switches energizes the timer I55, alternately moving theswitch contact member I84 to engage contacts I55 or I55. Switch contactI84 is connected to the conductor I54 which isconnected as traced aboveto main I55, and either of the contacts I55 or III is connected throughconductors I55 or I55 respectively to conductor I 55 respectively andthence by conductor I96 to conductor I89 which leads, as traced above,to the other supply main I55.

When the cylinder start switch I I4 is depressed, a circuit is therebyclosed from terminal contact P6 by way of conductor I 81 through theback contacts of the switch, conductors I88, I13, electrical switchmaintaining device I58, conductor I89, overload relay switch I90,conductor I9I, overload rela switch I92, conductor I93 and switchcontact P3 thereby completing the circuit. A circuit is also closed fromcontact P6 through conductor I12, interlock device I59 for the switchmaintaining device I58 by way of conductor I59A to one terminal P ofcylinder motor indicating lamp H1 and thence by conductor I19 to safetycontactP3 completing the circuit.

A circuit is also closed through the door switch from starting switchcontact P6 through conductor I81, back contacts of cylinder start switchI I4, conductor I88, conductor I14, conductor I15, front switch contactsof inch-down switch II6, conductor I16, front contacts of inch-up switchII5, conductor I11, door switch I04, conductor I18 to one terminal ofcylinder motor indicating lamp H1 and thence through the lamp and byconductor I19 to the other safety switch terminal P3.

With the above circuits and connections established, the cylinder motoris in operation, the cylinder indicating lamp I I1 is lighted and therelease of pressure on the cylinder start switch allows its contact barto reestablish connections between front contacts P1 and P6.

When the cylinder start switch is released, a maintaining circuit istraced from contact P6 of the safety switch through conductor I12maintaining switch I59, conductor I59A, conductor I16, door switch I04,conductor I11, inch-up switch II5, conductor I16, inch-down switch II6,conductor I15, conductor I14 to the cylinder start switch and thencethrough conductor I13 and switch maintaining device I58, conductor I89,switch I90, conductor I9I, switch I92, conductor I93 to the other safetyswitch terminal P3.

An energizing circuit is also established through the reversing timerI68 which may be traced from the safety switch I I8 to the contact P8 ofthe cylinder starting switch by the path above set forth and thencethrough contact switch I I4, P1 contact thereof, conductor I94,reversing timer I68, conductor I95, and thence through switch I90,conduct-or I9I, switch I92, and conductor I93 to the opposite safetyswitch terminal P3.

Actuated by the reversing timer is the switch contact member I84 whichis alternately moved to engage contact I 85 in one direction, or contactI86 in the other direction. This contact member is connected throughconductor I94 and when moved to engage contact I85, it closes a circuitfrom conductor I94 through contacts I84 and I85, conductor I96, forwardelectrical switch device I61, and conductors I91 and I98 to theconductor I89, thus energizing the electrical switch device I 61 andclosing reversing switches I65 and I66. When the switch contact memberI84 makes engagement with contact I86, a circuit is closed fromconductor I94 through contacts I64 and I86, conductor I99, throughreverse electrical switch device I64 and thence through conductor I98 toconductor I89 and to the safety switch contact P3 by the circuitpreviously traced, thereby energizing the reverse electrical switchesI62 and I63.

In the main line on the forward electrical reversing switch side is anoverload and low voltage electrical tripping device 200 for controllinswitch I90 and for the reversing switches I62 and I63. The switch I92 iscontrolled by an overload and low voltage electrical tripping device I,both of which are automatically operated to protect the cylinder motor96 and to open the controlling circuits ifthe voltage falls too low orthe load is too great.

The drying timer I01 (Figure 16) is set for a predetermined length ofoperations and has a switch 202 operated thereby at the end of the settime for controlling a solenoid 203 with an armature 204 (representingmagnet I33 and its armature I32 of Figure 12) movable for tripping thedamper lever H9 and opening the damper switch 95. Tripping the damperlever actuates the damper cylinder 66 and moves the damper from a dryingto a cooling position.

In a similar manner, the cooling timer I06 has a switch 205 operatedthereby at the endof a set period, and included in a circuit with asolenoid 206 which operates an armature 201 to tripthe door lever I20,opening a switch I205 and opening normally closed valve I24 (Figure 12)for admitting fluid under pressure to the door cylinders 98 for openingthe casing door when the cooling Switches 95 and I20S- operation iscomplete. are shown diagrammatically in Figure 16 in line with theirrespective solenoid armatures 204 and 201 controlled by the drying timersolenoid 203 and the cooling timer solenoid 206. Switch 98 operates tocut the drying timer out of the circuit so that the cooling timer canthen take over the operation. The circuits for these two timerscomprises a conductor 208 connected to the safety switch contact P6 atone side of each of the switches H93 and I205. From the other side ofswitch I I9S, a conductor 209 extends to the solenoid winding 203,thence through switch 202 of the timer I01 and by means of conductors H0and 2 to the opposite terminal P3 of the safety switch II8. For thecooling timer, a conductor 2I2 leads from the other side of the switchI20S through the solenoid winding 206 and timer switch 205 to conductor2 and thence to the other contact P3 of the safety switch II8.

With this connection of the timers, the drying timer will maintain thetumbler cylinder in operation under drying conditions for the period forwhich timer I01 is set, and at the expiration of the time, switch 202will be opened, breaking the circuit through solenoid 203 and droppingthe damper lever II9; the cooling timer will continue the operation ofthe cylinder motor for a further predetermined period, whereupon theoperation of the solenoid will trip the door lever, actuating the doorcylinders 98 raising the door and opening the door safety switch I04which opens the controlling circuit through the switch maintainingdevice I58 which opens the main circuit breaker switches I51, therebyopening the circuit to the cylinder motor 96 and deenergizing the brakesolenoid I68 to stop the tumbler cylinder.

If it happens that the cylinder door does not register with the casingdoor opening when the cylinder is stopped, it may be necessary to raiseor inch up the door side of the cylinder a small amount, less than onerotation, or to lower or inch down the door side of the cylinder a smallamount for the same reason. This is accomplished by simultaneouslypressing the cylinder start button H4 and either the inch up button H5or the inch down button II6.

Since the door switch I04 is open at this time 11itistoestablkhatemporarycontrol circuit which does not include the doorswitch. Assumingthatthemchupswitchisoperatedtoengageitsrearcontacmthhcircuitmaybetraced asiollows:

From contactP' oisafety switch III by way oi conductor I" back contactsof cylinder start switch ill, conductors Ill, I'll, to back contact IIIof inch-up switch Ill, thence through conductor I to iorward electricaldevice lll. conductors I", I, switch Ill, conductor ill. switch ill andconductor Ill to the other terminalPloIsaietUswitch Ill.Thisenergiaesthe iorwardmainswitches "land lficlosinganopcrating circuitthrough them to the cylinder motor ttwhichwillbemaintainedonlyaslong asthe inch-up switch is At the same time the previously traced circuitwill be closed through the cylinder start switch by way of conductorI'll throightheswitchmaintaining device "land lllbackthrmlghtheswitchesIlland llltothetermirnlmofthesatetyswitch Ill.

Depressionofthecylinderstartswitchbreaks the switch connection betweenfrontterminals PI and P1 thereby opening the circuit through conductorIll whichleadstothereversingtimer I".

Similarly when the inch down switch is dep fi itsbackcontactsatthesametimethecylinderstartswitchisdepressedanenergizing circuit is tracedthrough the inch down switchasiollows:

Promsaiety switchterminalP, conductor lll, cylinder start switch, backcontacts, conductors I", I", I'll, conductor 2 to the back contact iiithence through switch III to terminal Pl conductor iii to conductor I"and through electrical switch device I and energizing reversing switchesI62 and I thence through conductor I, switch ill, conductor Iii. switch[32, conductor in, to the opposite terminal P3 of the safety switch III.In either 'casetheinchuportheinchdownswitchissimply pressed in for abrief interval to rotate the cylinder in the corresponding direction,and a circult is closed through the cylinder motor indicating lamp illto light the lamp; as previously traced.

The fan motor is operated separately from the cylinder motor and isindependent of the door and damper cylinder operations. The fan startbutton I. the fan stop button Ill and the Ian indicating lamp III aremounted upon the control box ill ior convenience and although in thediagram figure 21, the current supply means ISIA, IIIA and ISIA arerepresented as diilerent than the supply means for the cylinder motor,in practicetheyarethesame. Aiusedkniieswitch Il'i connects the supplymeansto main conductors III, II! and Ill leading through circuit breakerswitches Ill to the fan motor ll represented as a three-phasealternating current motor. Inatleasttwooithephasesareoverload and lowvoltage relays 222 for controlling switches 22! and 221' connectedinseries and to a switch maintaining device I for the circuit breakerswitches Ill. This maintaining deviceIllisinturncontrolledbyanelectricinterlock III and circuits Iron! thesecontrolling devicesleadtothefanstartandianstopswitches for which thecontrolling circuits are as follows:

Whenthefanstartswitchisdepressedtocngage the back contacts PII and PI!thereof, the tollowing circuit k closed from the saiety switch contactP, through conductors III and Ill to back contact Pl! throfls Ian startswitch Ill 01 operations thereof and the cycle may to the contact PH;thaice through conductor "Lirontcontactl'lljanswitchlllcmtactl'".conductor 28.. switch device I, cmdncta 22!.

switches 22!, conductor I, switch 228',cmduebyopeningthemaineirudttotheianmotor.

Withthisconstructiornitwfllbeaeenthatthe complete operation of themachine is entirely controlled from the control box III. thatthetimeoidrylngandcoolingisaetthe tionofthemaehineiscontimiomioratedbyraisingbothoitheleverall! The motor operation can be stopped at byturning the safety switch Ill, andii any electrical iault such as anmixed or when the cycle of operations is complete, the cylinder will bestopped and the outer cylinder door will be automatically opened. Whenthe controlling apparatus voltageis thesameasthat oi the mains,conductors II. and III are cmnected to safety switch contacts PI and P2.To change the voltage applied to the controlling apparatus from thatwhich is applied to the mains, conductors ill and III are disconnectedandatransiormer luisconnectcdbyconductors 21! and ill'to mains 2i! and220 as shown in dotted outline (Figure 16). and is connected byconductor I to safety switch contact P2 and by conductors 231 and III tosafety switch contactPl.

Thedryingtimeandthecoolhgtimeiorany clothes or other materials to bewashed is de terminedsomewhatbythenatureotsuchmaterialsandbeiorethetumhlerissctinoncraflon.the setting mechanisms I and III at the topoithecontrolpanelwhichreaemhlethehandsolclocksarepositionediorthedesiredtimeoidryingandthedesiredtimeoicooling.Theclothea orothermaterialtohedriedaredepoaitedinthetumblerinwetordampconditimwhenthe outer hinge door I! is opened andregisters with door Ilinthetumbler. Thetinnblerdooris closedbyslidingitendwiseand door 20 is closed, the drier may tion. The door 2! is closedby closing lever I20 which closes the door interlock switch Ill.allowing electrical connections tobemadethroughthedrivingandothermotora.The control switch III is turned and by then pressingstartbuttonIi|,themotor!or operatingthetumblerisenergindandthetmnhleris alternatedapproximately six times per minute.

Theianiorremovingthelintisactuatcdbypressingtheianstartbuttcnlllandmaybe 13 stopped by pressing the fan stopbutton H2. To observe whether the fan motor is running, the lamp H3 atthe front of the panel is lighted when the fan is in operation. Likewisethe lamp Ill indicates at the front of the panel when the tumbler motoris in operation. 7

During the drying operation, the valve at the top of the tumbler isopened to admit heat from the hot air passageway 36 afterthe timedetermined by the setting of the drying timer and after thepredetermined time has elapsed, a circult is closed by the timer whichcauses the operation of the valve opening and connection from the coldair passage 31 and closing the hot air passage. The operation of thetumbler then continues for the time set on the cooling timer, after theexpiration of which, the tumbler motor circuit is opened by theoperation of the cooling switch 205.

During the operation of the drying tumbler, the lint removing devicecontinues in operation and if it is desired to remove the lint or anyportion thereof, the door 24 in the casing is opened and the lint ordirt removed therefrom without affecting the operation of the tumbler.

When the tumbler cylinder is stopped, after the contents has beensufficiently cooled, the door of the tumbler cylinder may not registerwith the door of the casing. In this case, it is necessary either topress the inch-up button H or the inch-down button Hi which causes themovement of the tumbler in a corresponding direction to register thedoor openings. The contents is taken out and the tumbler cylinder maythen be recharged for another complete cycle of operations.

The various detailed operations of each of the separate parts aredescribed in connection with the structural description. Likewise thecircuit connections are all described and traced in detail. It is alsopointed out that the tumbler cylinder motor may be stopped at any timeby turning the safety switch I I8 and when the cycle of operations iscomplete, both of the levers H9 and I are at the bottoms of their slots.It is necessary to raise them both to repeat the cycle of operations.

Various changes may be made in the construction, combination, andarrangement of the various parts, and the invention is not to beunderstood as restricted to the specific construction, combination, andarrangements as herein set forth as these may be modified within thescope of the appended claims without departing from the spirit and scopeof the invention.

Having thus described the invention, what I claim as new and desire tosecure by Letters Patent is:

1. In a drier of the class described, a casing having a cylindricalchamber with an air inlet and an air outlet, a perforated tumblercylinder rotatable in the chamber, an exhaust fan in the casing forreceiving the air from the outlet and discharging it from the casing, anelectric driving motor for the exhaust fan, an electric operating motorfor rotating the tumbler cylinder,

valve means comprising a valve having opposed seats and a valve headmovable between the seats for admitting relatively hot and cold air tothe casing inlet for the tumbler, fluid pressure means for actuating thevalve means to open, close, and partially open the valves, a hinged doorfor the casing for access to the tumbler cylinder, fluid pressure meansfor'opening and closing the door, timing means for operating the valvemeans and controlling the fluid pressure means to close the casing door,to operate the cylinder driving motor to drive the tumbler cylinder, andto stop the cylinder driving motor when I the cylinder door mechanism isoperated to open the door.

2. In a drier of the class described, a rotatable tumbler cylinder, acasing for the cylinder having an air inlet and an air outlet, means comprising a valve having opposed seats and a valve head movable betweenthe seats for admitting relatively hot and cold air at the inlet, a fanin the casing for removing air in the outlet, a door in the casinghaving means for opening and closing the door, an electrical door switchclosed by the door in its closing position and opened when the door israised, a driving motor for the cylinder having a circuit including thedoor switch, and clock means for producing a timed cycle of operationscomprising means whereby the cylinder operating motor is started afterthe door switch is closed by closing the door, means for opening onevalve and admitting hot air to the cylinder for a'predetermined period,said means partially closing the hot air valve and opening the other toadmit relatively cold air to the cylinder for a period to cool thecontents of the tumbler cylinder, means for stopping the tumblercylinder and means for opening the casing and thereby operating the doorswitch to prevent further operation of the tumber cylinder motor.

3. In a drier of the class described, a tumbler cylinder, a casing inwhich the cylinder is 1'0- tatable having an air inlet and an air outletat opposite sides of the cylinder, means for admitting hot air to theinlet, means for admitting cold air to the inlet, a valve structurecomprising a valve having opposed seats and a valve head movable betweenthe seats for closing off the hot I air or for closing off the cold air,a fluid pressure valve operating cylinder connected to operate thevalves, a lever for controlling fluid pressure to the cylinder havingopen and closed positions, a normally open valve structure and anormally closed valve structure for controlling fluid pressure to saidcylinder and operated by the movement of said lever, and a pair of clocktimers, one com prising connected means for maintaining the operatinglever in a position to admit heat through the valve structure for apredetermined time, and the other timer comprising connected means foroperating the lever to close the hot air valve for the admission of hotair to the tumbler cylinder and to open the cold air valve for theadmission of cold air to the tumbler cylinder for a predetermined time.

4. In a drier of the class described, a tumbler cylinder, a casing inwhich the tumbler cylinder is rotatable having an air inlet and an airoutlet in the casing, means for admitting hot and cold air through theair inlet, said means including a valve structure comprising a valvehaving opposed seats and a valve head movable between the seats, anoperating cylinder for moving the valve structure in reverse directions,a lever and a valve operated thereby for controlling fluid pressure tothe operating cylinder and the valve structure comprising a normallyopen valve and a normally closed valve reversely operated thereby, andclock timing means including an operative connection therewith formaintaining the controlling lever in one position for a predeterminedtime to actuate the operating cylinder piston for opening the hot airvalve structure to the admission of heat to the cylinder, and for movingthe operating lever to cooling position for opening the cold air valveto admit cooling air to the cylinder ior a predetermined time.

5. In a drier oi the class described having a rotatable tumblercylinder, an electric motor 101 driving the cylinder, means foradmitting hot and cold air to the cylinder, a timer including anelectrical switch for controlling the time of the admission of hot air,another timer including an electrical switch for controlling the time ofadmitting the cold air, magnets controlled by the said timer switches,an operating lever for the hot and cold air means, a door for the drierand a fluid motor for opening and closing it, an operating lever forcontrolling the fluid motor for closing and opening the door, andelectro-responsive means in connection with the timers and magnets andoperated by the switches thereof for actuating the levers to operatesaid hot and cold air means and also to open the door in predeterminedrelation.

6. In a drier of the class described, a tumbler cylinder. an electricmotor for rotating it in a casing, the casing having a door and fluidpressure means for opening and closing the door, a lever for controllingthe fluid pressure means, means for admitting hot and cold air to thetumbler cylinder and including a valve operated by a fluid pressuredevice, a lever for controlling fluid pressure to said valve device, oneof said levers being raised to control the admission of hot air throughthe valve and lowered to admit cold air therethrough, the other leverbeing raised to control the closing of the casing door and lowered tocontrol the opening of the casing door, and timers including switchesand electro-responsive means for actuating the levers to move them fromraised to lowered position thereby first operating the valve and thenopening the door.

. 7. In a rotary drier, a casing having a tumbler cylinder rotatabletherein, the casing having a door and fluid pressure means for raisingand closing the door, a door in the tumbler cylinder, an electric motorfor driving the tumbler cylinder, electrical supply and circuitcontrolling means for actuating the motor to drive the cylinder andincluding a door switch in the motor circuit operated by the casingdoors in closing and opening, valve means for admitting hot andrelatively cold air to the cylinder, electrical clock operated timingmeans for predetermining the time of admission of the hot air,electrical clock operated timing means for predetermining the time foradmission of the relatively cold air, the cylinder having a door whichis stopped to register with the casing door, means for automaticallystopping the motor when the cold air admission time is ocmplete, andmeans to control the fluid pressure means to open the casing door whenthe motor stops, thereby opening the door switch in the motor circuit.

8. In a drier of the class described having a tumbler cylinder rotatablein the casing, the cylinder having manually operated doors, the casinghaving a door and fluid pressure means for opening and closing the door,fluid pressure operated valve means for admitting hot and relativelycool air to the cylinder, levers manually operable, one for controllingthe door cylinder fluid pressure means, and the other for controllingthe fluid pressure valve means, and electrical timing means includingswitches for closing electrical circuits and electro-magnetic devices incircuit with said switches, one circuit for operating the lever whichcontrols the door opening and 16 closing fluid pressure means and theother circuit for operating the lever which controls the valve cylinderoperating means.

9. In a drier o! the class described, the combination of a rotatabletumbler cylinder, a casing in which the cylinder is rotatable, valvemeans for admitting hot and relatively cold air to the cylinder. at doorin the casing having fluid pressure door operating means, fluid pressurevalve operating means including hot and cold air valve, a fan fordrawing hot and cold air through the cylinder, a motor for operating theIan and control means for the drier comprising a control panel, leversextending through the panel and movable relatively therein forcontrolling the door operating fluid pressure means and the valve fluidpressure operating means, a pair 0! adiustable timers tor predeterminingthe timing of the hot air and cold air valve operating means, saidtimers each comprising a switch operated thereby, a circuit and anelectro-responsive device controlled by the switch and actuated tooperate one of the levers, switches movable in the panel to controlcircuits for starting and stopping the cylinder motor for starting andstopp n the fan motor, lamps in the panel for indicating when thecylinder motor is in operation and when the fan motor is in operation,one circuit device being operative to move one of the levers fromraisedto lowered position to control the operation of the valveoperating means changing the valve means to cut of! hot air and to admitcold air to the tumbler cylinder, and the other circuit device beingoperative to move the other lever to down position for controlling theoperation of the fluid pressure device door operating means to open thedoor.

10. In a drier oi the class described-the combination of a cylinder anda casing in which it is rotatable, 0! a motor and means for driving thecylinder in reverse directions in the casing, a door in the casing andfluid pressure means for opening and closing it, means for admitting hotand relatively cool air to the cylinder comprising a valve and a fluidpressure cylinder for operating the valve, a motor ran for drying airthrough the cylinder and a common control box for timing, controllingand operating the drier parts comprising a panel 'having leversprojecting therethrough and movable manually upward, timing means in thepanel having electrical means operated thereby for tripp the levers tomove them downwardly, one of the levers operating the fluid pressuredoor means, and the other of the levers operating the fluid pressurevalve means.

11. In a drier of the class described having a rotatable tumblercylinder, a casing in which the cylinder is mounted, valve means foradmitting hot and relatively cool air to the cylinder, a door in thecasing, fluid pressure means for operating the casing door, a fluidpressure cylinder for operating the valve means, timing means forcontrolling the admission 0! hot and cold air to the cylinder by meansof the valve means, an electric driving motor for the cylinder, a pairoi manually raisable operating levers, an electric circuit, switches andelectro-responsive devices in connection with the levers for controllingthe operation of the motor and the operation of the fluid pressurecylinder when the levers are relatively moved, the levers actuating thefluid pressure controlling means, and the levers being moved in areverse direction by their electro-responsive devices tor reverselyactuating said fluid normalcycle of operations. R

with an controlled by said levers.

,12. In a drier o! the class described, a rotatable tumbler cylinder, acasing' in which the cylinder ,is mounted, valve means for admitting hotand relatively cool air to the cylinder, fan means for drawing airthrough the cylinder, a driving motor forthe cylinder, a door in thecasing, fluid pressure means for operating-the door, and a fluid pressure means for operating the valve means,

-a-pair of manually 'r'aisablef operating levers andelectriealswitches'therelor, timing means, circuits andelectric-responsive" devices operable separately andinconjunction witheach of said j leversior'first closing the casing' door, -startingtheeyliridermotor and admitting hot air to the cylinder when the leversare manually moved in one direction for continuing the admission of hotair ,Ior'a predetermined time and thereupon operative to open a switchin a circuit effective to operateone or the 'levers"in a reverse direction andto actuate the valve cylinder. for admitting. coolair foraremaining predetermined time, the operation or one lever being effectiveH to stop the cylinder motor and thereafter the l "timing meansbelng'eflective .to' open another cir-j quit and to automatically' movethe other lever HUBERT c}.-

to open the casing door thereby completingthe 7 18 REFERENCES crren Thefollowing references are oi record in the file of this patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 1,327,609 Bartholomew Jan. 13,1920 1,655,514 Seifert Jan. 10, 1928 1,675,160 Carroll June 26, 19281,709,059 Carroll Apr. 16, 1929 1,758,594 Carroll May 13, 1930 1,775,730McNigol Sept. 16, 1930 1,786,191 Carroll Dec. 23, 1930 1,819,823 LockettAug. 18, 1931 1,996,253 Otis Apr. 2, 1935 2,005,386 Otis June 18, 19352,050,625 Orr Aug. 11, 1936 2,078,000 Jensen Apr. 20, 1937. 2,158,309Salisbury May 16, 1939 2,217,153 Bowdoin et a1. Oct. 8, 19110 2,285,517Harvey et a1 June 9, 1942 2,333,000 Gayring Oct. 26, 1943 2,334,965Thacker Nov. 23, 1943 2,360,915 Vermilya Oct. 24, 1944 2,387,293Preston 1. Oct. 23, 1945 2,390,030 Paulson Nov. 27, v1945 2,397,091Davis Mar. 26, 1946 12,398,880 Broglle Apr. 23, 1946 2,399,555 LockeApr. 30, 1946

